Enes Kanter Freedom will watch Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in a luxury suite at State Farm Arena in Atlanta because of his safety concerns, according to the Atlanta Dream.
"Enes Kanter Freedom has contacted federal, state and local authorities, the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream and State Farm Arena officials to express concerns about his personal safety during his planned attendance at Game 3 of the WNBA Finals tonight," the Dream said in a statement released about 30 minutes prior to tipoff of their game against the Golden State Valkyries Wednesday, Oct. 21.
"The safety and security of our guests and team members is our highest priority. Following consultations with the WNBA, Dream ownership, State Farm Arena leadership and security officials, we have
directed Mr. Freedom to watch tonight’s game from a private luxury suite. This arrangement is intended to address his security concerns and help provide a safe and positive experience for him and other guests. The suite will have additional security and will be his designated viewing location for the game. State police have also assigned an officer to Mr. Freedom at his request."
Kanter Freedom, who played in the NBA for 11 seasons, has been outspoken about the inclusion of transgender athletes to target the WNBA, declaring himself eligible for the 2027 league draft on social media Aug. 7, saying he identifies as a woman. He has since attended multiple WNBA games, resulting in controversy and a player confrontation.
He shared on social media Oct. 19 his plans to attend Game 3. He then shared another post on Tuesday, Oct. 20, that indicated he had viewed negative responses from fans about his intention and would attend anyway.
On Saturday, Oct. 17, Kanter Freedom went on Fox News and said he'd received "thousands of death threats." He also evoked the name of Charlie Kirk, the American right-wing political activist who was assassinated while debating with college students about gun violence.
In an Oct. 17 video confirming he would be in Atlanta for the Finals, Kanter Freedom mentioned Valkyries forward Gabby Williams and Dream star Angel Reese.
Williams, who has led her team in scoring in the postseason, expressed support for transgender athletes in women's sports this season, saying she would “welcome a trans athlete on my team or against my team, anytime. I don’t think it’s a problem in the world. It’s just another way to kind of attack trans people."
Kanter Freedom cited her as his inspiration to declare for the WNBA draft.
“As you all know, this all started with an interview featuring Gabby Williams of the Golden State Valkyries, when she said, I have no problem with trans athletes playing on my team or against my team," Freedom said. “Her words gave me so much hope and motivation to come out as a woman and officially declare for the WNBA draft. I can’t wait to watch my favorite player, the woman who inspired me to become who I am today!”
Kanter Freedom also attempted to draw attention from Reese, who helped the Dream even the WNBA Finals best-of-seven series 1-1 on Monday with a historic double-double.
"My favorite diva has unfortunately blocked me on social media," Kanter Freedom said. "But that won’t stop me from showing my appreciation for the one and only @Reese10Angel! I can’t wait to take some notes on how to finish a layup after grabbing a rebound.
"I’m excited to support all the hardworking women in the WNBA and scout the competition before I dominate the league next year, unless they change the rules!"
Kanter Freedom and former NBA player Royce White, who also declared earlier this year that he identified as a woman, are not eligible to enter the WNBA draft, a person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports on Aug. 24. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The person said the league is not going to "give oxygen to efforts designed to mock the league or use this topic to demean or marginalize others."
Kanter Freedom attended a Chicago Sky game on Aug. 23, in a T-shirt that said: "WOMAN noun. adult human female." After getting into a shouting match with Sky guard Natasha Cloud, he was ejected and banned from the Sky's Wintrust Arena. He has subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Sky saying his First Amendment rights were violated when he was "wrongfully ejected" from the Aug. 23 game in Chicago.
The newfound scrutiny surrounding eligibility began this season when Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham said young girls playing sports "shouldn't have to go against biological men."
A transgender woman has never played in the WNBA, but the league has become a lightning rod for the topic after comments made by Cunningham were published in an ESPN storyon July 21.
Cunningham's comments on transgender athlete participation and the ensuing conversation came after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld states' right to ban transgender girls and women from participation in women's sports.Legislation passed in 27 states barring transgender girls and women from participating in women's sports is aimed at a small portion of the population – 1% of people aged 13 and over in the U.S. identify as transgender, according to a 2025 study by the Williams Institute at UCLA Law.
The Human Rights Campaign reported in 2023 that 19% of transgender youth nationwide were playing sports, including fewer than 1,300 who played sports in school.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Enes Kanter Freedom assigned state police protection at WNBA Finals after expressing safety concerns
